Dec 28, 2012
A Take-No-Prisoners Kind of War
It’s War
Why am I surprised when the fight of faith is hard? When trials come? When I face difficulties?
After all, Jesus promised tribulation (John 16: 33), and Paul described the Christian life as a wrestling-match (Eph 6:12).
That’s why I love the following quote from C. John Miller, who was a seminary professor, church-planter, and powerful author.
A Take-No-Prisoners Kind Of War
“Let me urge upon you the importance of cultivating faith if you are to be able to walk in love and spiritual power.
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, and those who believe are given more grace than they can handle.
“Believing is to expect God to be with you and change you and to change others.
“Therefore expect great things from God; and attempt great things for God …
“Think of it this way. All the powers of hell and earth are ranged against the gospel and your ministry. They will not compromise.
“Therefore don’t expect it from them. Don’t expect the enemy to coddle you. He will continue to attack from every quarter. At night. On the streets. In your meetings. Wherever.
“This is a take-no-prisoners kind of war, and we must not compromise with the uglies and with evil in any form.
“Therefore resist, fight with all your heart against evil in yourself and others, seek holiness through faith in the blood of Christ, and live boldly out of your union with Christ.
“You are in Him and He is in you. Don’t doubt it.” (The Heart of a Servant Leader, pp.62f.)
Cultivating Faith
Notice his focus on cultivating faith. Like Paul said — the fight is a fight of faith. That IS the battle — fighting to trust all that God has promised to be to me in Christ Jesus.
So when you are tempted, or doubting, or discouraged, or drifting — don’t try to overcome these by will-power.
Instead, fight the fight of faith —
- Come to God as you are, trusting that because of Christ He welcomes and accepts you (Luke 15:20).
- Confess whatever sin needs confessing, and trust His promises until you are fully assured of forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
- Ask for the work of the Spirit to strengthen your faith and show you Jesus’ glory (Luke 11:13).
- Meditate on God’s promises and the truth of Christ until you feel the Holy Spirit changing your heart (Gal 3:5).
When you see unbelief in your heart, be ruthless. Take no prisoners. Use the Sword of the Spirit and kill it.
Comments? Thoughts?
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And here are some related posts you might find helpful —
A Ring-Side Seat For My Battle Against An IdolWill-Power vs. Spirit-PowerHow To Strengthen Your Faith- How to Fight the Fight of Faith
Steve,
Appreciate your quote, “When you see unbelief in your heart, be ruthless. Take no prisoners. Use the Sword of the Spirit and kill it.”
The very word spoken by our Lord to kill my unbelief. Something I always need to remind myself.
Blessings,
Brian
I, too, need that reminder constantly, Brian. Thanks for your encouragement. I think it was John Owen who said — “Kill sin, or it will be killing you.”
In Christ,
Steve
Steve,
This is a really good blog post. I like the post from C. John Miller a lot.
What do you think he meant (or what do you mean) by: “Therefore expect great things from God; and attempt great things for God”?
Warm Regards,
Doug
Hi Doug,
It’s always a joy to hear from you, and thank you for your encouraging words.
That’s a good question about what this William Carey quote means — “Expect great things from God and attempt great things for God.”
I would take the first half as trust in God’s promise to do above and beyond all we can ask or even think (Eph 3:20).
And the second half as trust in God’s promise of 2Sam 10:12 — “Take courage, and let us be courageous for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what seems good to Him.”
Combining both together brings powerful encouragement.
May the Father richly bless you in 2013, Doug.
Very encouraging
Very good advice, very motivating, helpful with useful links to further my knowledge in the scriptures by clicking on those links. Explaining the process clearly and the antedote to overcoming the sexual temptation through encouragement and well thought out research.